Nashville resident Jeanine Vedros and her husband Terry decided to make a commitment to improving their health. When they began their journey, they didn’t realize that they’re new healthy lifestyle would be essential to Vedros beating colorectal cancer. She is sharing her journey and continuing steps to raise awareness at the Nashville Undy RunWalk on August 18 at Shelby Park.
Vedros began experiencing stomach pain in February 2017. The pain continued for several days, so she decided to visit her doctor. Initially, her physician thought that she had diverticulitis, small inflammations on the wall of your intestines. She was prescribed antibiotics, but the pain became unbearable. She eventually checked herself into the emergency room. After several tests including a colonoscopy, Vedros was diagnosed with stage II colorectal cancer.
“Strength in numbers, faith, friends and family are what I needed to get to the other side,” said Vedros.
Her mother, husband, and friends provided her with inspiration to push through. And her workout partner, Theresa, insisted that Vedros’ weight loss journey of two years prepared her for this moment. Her two-year journey led to a 120 pound weight loss.
“My anesthesiologist said that if I had not lost the weight, my surgery and recovery would have been much more extensive,” said Vedros. “Now, I see my oncologist every three months to be sure I am good and so far, so good.”
Vedros is now cancer-free. She is participating in the Nashville Undy RunWalk for the first time and has already exceeded her fundraising goals. The Undy RunWalk is a family-friendly 5K organized by national non-profit Colorectal Cancer Alliance, whose mission it is to end colorectal cancer within our lifetime through providing support services, awareness of preventive measures, and funding critical research. The Undy RunWalk is held in 22 cities across the U.S.
At least 80 percent of those involved in the Undy RunWalk have some tie to colorectal cancer. While the event raises money to support the Colorectal Cancer Alliance’s mission, it’s also an opportunity to encourage those currently battling the disease, remember those lost too soon, and celebrate those who have completed colorectal cancer treatment.
In 2018 alone, over 3,000 Tennesseans are expected to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and nearly 1,200 will die from this highly preventable and treatable disease.
“Get your colonoscopy, it can save your life,” Vedros said.
The 2018 Nashville Undy RunWalk is August 18 at Shelby Park. Onsite registration begins at 7:00 a.m., and the 5K begins at 8:00 a.m. For more information or to register, visit www.undyrunwalk.org, and click on Nashville, TN. The 2018 Nashville Undy RunWalk is sponsored in part by Taiho Oncology.
Registration fees:
5K Adult (14 and older) - $35 Advance/$40 Race Day
5K Youth (6-13) - $30 Advance/$35 Race Day
One-mile Fun Run (all ages, Children 5 and younger are free) - $30 Advance/$35 Race Day